Secrets to Intimately Know God

The congregation wondered why I left the keyboard in tears and moved to the front of the altar—they did not know I was in anguish and confronted by the lack of the knowledge of God in my life…

As I reached the front section I raised my hands and shouted with all my strength:

“God, I want to know you, I can’t go on like this anymore!”

That was 23 years ago, while my wife and I were missionaries in Mexico. And I believe God heard my prayer that day. He has been answering it, little by little through the years…

Of course I don’t know God fully (nobody does), but I I know Him more than before, and the following 5 things helped me…

To Know God You Must Do Five Things

A key passage the Lord has used to cure my ignorance is Proverbs 2, which reveals five secrets to cultivate the knowledge of God…

Each one of these secrets come after an “if”, presenting them as conditions to a promise. But I call them “disciplines,” because you are not suppose to do them only once…

…you should do them every day, as a lifestyle.

If you receive My words, and treasure My commands… so that you incline your ear to wisdom…If you cry out for discernment…If you seek her as silver and…hidden treasures; then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. (Prov. 2:1-5)

Discipline #1: determine to walk in full obedience (if you will receive My words v. 1a). To receive His words means to obey His commandments.

You must love Jesus on His terms—that means: obeying his commands. It’s not enough to sing the pretty worship song and cry “I love you Jesus”. You have to prove it with your actions and obedience…

If you love Me, keep My commandments. (Jn. 14:15)

Discipline #2: meditate on God’s word daily (if you will treasure My commands, v. 1b). You treasure God’s commands by filling our mind with His thoughts and meditating on His word.

As you meditate on the Scriptures, engage in a dialogue with Jesus—have a conversation with Him. It is not enough to study the Bible—you must engage the Holy Spirit and receive from Him as you read it…

The Bible provides “conversationalmaterial” for your prayer life.

Discipline #3: have a teachable spirit and an open heart (if you incline your ear to wisdom, v. 2). This speaks of humbling your heart to learn from God’s word instead of resisting or limiting its meaning…

Many who are zealous for God lack a teachable, humble spirit. Make sure this is not you… make sure to incline your ear to wisdom (daily).

Discipline #4: pray, cry out for understanding (cry out for understanding, v. 3). You must actually ask for more revelation (Mt. 7:7-8; Eph. 1:17).

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds… (Mt. 7:7-8) That the…Father of glory may give…revelation in the knowledge of Him… (Eph. 1:17)

Discipline #5: Be diligent in your pursuit of God (search for her as treasures, v. 4). Be willing to pay any price find Him. I encourage you to spend the time—there is a deep connection between the amount of time you spend with Jesus and the measure of encounter you experience.

“Attaining to all the riches of…of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures…” (Col. 2:2-3). Jesus is our greatest treasure, but His beauty and majesty are “hidden” until we seek Him with all our heart.

The Promise: Understanding and Knowledge

Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. (Prov. 2:5)

God’s promise to you—if you practice the 5 disciplines—is that will UNDERSTAND the Fear of the Lord and FIND the knowledge of God.

Think of the implications… the fear of of the Lord will not seem confusing or intrusive, because you will gain new understanding of the awesome holiness of God—and you will find the knowledge of God.